Winter Kale Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette

You’re going to want to make this salad. It’s bright, it’s filling, it’s got crunch, and it’s good for you.

It’s pretty perfect actually.

The kale I used for this salad isn’t the kale I normally cook with. It’s not the kale you find pre-cut in the bags, you might have to look a little harder for this kale, at least as far as I can tell. It’s called lacinato kale and I’m pretty sure you can find it at a Whole Foods, or any farmers market or grocery that has a good selection of greens. Apparently, this kale goes by a few names…dinosaur kale, tuscan kale, cavolo nero and black kale. I’ve been getting bunches of it in my weekly CSA pickups, but I’ve also seen it at one of my smaller produce markets locally. Look for it, it’s good.

I have nothing against curly kale, it makes awesome kale chips (if you haven’t tried kale chips, you have to)…it’s just not my favorite when it comes to salads. This lacinato kale has pretty much opened up a whole new world of kale salad for me. It’s not as tough, and has a better, slightly sweeter flavor to it. It makes a great swap for fresh spinach in any salad in my opinion (I should mention…if you can’t find this kale, just go ahead and make this salad with fresh spinach).

Let’s talk about the vinaigrette now. I was recently sent a generous sample of meyer lemons from Dandy Fresh Fruits and Vegetables to play with and host a giveaway for my readers (see bottom of post for details!). I immediately knew I wanted to make a vinaigrette with them, among other things…(stay tuned for an arugula pesto recipe!). If you’ve never tried meyer lemons, you must. They are the perfect combination of sweet and sour, still tangy but bright and mild enough to use in so many ways (check out this post for 12 recipes using meyer lemons!)

This salad is super simple to put together and will be sure to brighten up any winter day. Enjoy!!

(Sorry, giveaway open to US readers only. Two winners will be chosen randomly using Pick Giveaway Winner plugin application – winners will be notified by email and have 48 hours to claim prize or another winner will be selected.)

To enter into the giveaway:

Leave a comment on this post telling me if you’ve ever tried meyer lemons and if so, how you use them in your recipes!

Additional Entries can be earned by:

(leave a separate comment after you complete each item, each comment will count as an entry)

You don’t need to enter me in the giveaway, just wanted to say that this sounds delicious. Another mild kale that is great raw in salads in Red Russian Kale. It’s pretty, with a red tinge to the leaves and very mild in flavor compared to other types of kale. Also very easy to grow!

Connie Bolick Leeposted January 29, 2012 at 2:14 pm

I have never tried the lemons, but would like too. I would make some lemonade for starters.

Deb Harrisposted January 29, 2012 at 2:24 pm

I’ve never been able to find Meyer Lemons where I shop in ME or NH. I’m visiting FL now & have had hopes of finding them, but haven’t yet. I have several recipes I hop to try . I keep the recipes hoping I’ll get lucky, so I’m very excited about this giveaway. Thanks for giving me a chance to win them.

This looks just delicious. I’ve seen a few kale recipes around lately, I must hunt some down. Not entering the giveaway as I’m over in Australia, but I’m definitely bookmarking this recipe to give it a try.

I have been wanting to try Meyer lemons. This salad sounds/looks yummy – looking forward to making it…!

Elizabethposted January 30, 2012 at 1:16 am

I LOVE Meyer lemons: I juice them to make lemonade, vinaigrettes and to add to virtually everything i cook as well as to the green tea that i drink all day. Sometimes, if i have plenty, i’ll eat them plain.

I would love to win a bag of the lemons, as I’ve heard a ton about them and they are not in our area. I already follow you via emailings, blogging and I believe twitter. Thank you for this opportunity!!

And, lastly, I can’t believe I didn’t have you in my reader but AK is now in my google reader. YEAH!

Granny in Ohioposted January 30, 2012 at 1:30 pm

Have not tried Meyer lemon, but would love to!

Roseposted January 30, 2012 at 2:18 pm

oooyyeees!!! I luv meyer lemons! I love to make lemon curd, I have a special recipe from Pierre Hermes. I also then use the peels to make candied lemon peel. yum! I also adore my vinegrettes with lemon juice with Meyer lemon. A trick I learned is after composing the salad and tossing with the vinegrette, to twist the peel over it so the oil sprays over the salad. It adds a flavor dimension and fragrance at the point of serving. Ooollaaalaaa.

Roseposted January 30, 2012 at 2:19 pm

I now “like” on FB – – and truly do like – – Dandy Fresh Fruits & Veggies. Thanks for letting us know about a great site.

Roseposted January 30, 2012 at 2:23 pm

I now “like” on FB – drum roll – Aggie’s Kitchen!!! And I don’t like it, I LOVVVE it!!! And I’ve subscribed to the RSS feed. Yippeee!

Lizposted January 30, 2012 at 2:52 pm

I actually have never tried a Meyer lemon because they’re hard to find in stores where I live, but I’ve been wanting to for years because every time I read about someone describing how they’re like the ultimate in lemons, I die a little when I buy a regular old lemon.

Sorry, I don’t facebook or twitter, but here I am – and I’ve never used Meyer lemons for anything. I’m up for an adventure.

Nancy Bposted January 30, 2012 at 4:44 pm

I follow Dandy Fresh Fruits’ Meyer Lemons on FB. I use the lemons for a vinaigrette.

Apryl Hposted January 30, 2012 at 4:44 pm

Had them for the first time this year. All I have made so far are lemon curd pies….and they were awesome!

Brenda Earhartposted January 30, 2012 at 4:51 pm

I LOVE Meyer lemons!! and tell others about them all the time! I tried this dressing a couple weeks ago and we all loved it!! I got it off the back of the bag. My husband and I have 5 boys and we all eat fresh salads all the time, so this was a great addition. Thank You!! The Meyer lemon pound cake is next!!

Brenda Earhartposted January 30, 2012 at 4:53 pm

I will share about this giveaway on FB

Brenda Earhartposted January 30, 2012 at 4:55 pm

I also enjoy and follow Angie’s Kitchen on FB! Another thing my boys and I do is squeeze half a meyer lemon in a full glass of ice water and put a few drops of liquid stevia in…it’s a super refreshing “lemonade” drink! Much better than yucky sugary store bought lemonade!

lisaposted January 30, 2012 at 4:56 pm

My mom grows meyers lemons on a tiny tree. We always enjoy them when we visit her. There were probably 15 on the tree at Christmas time and they were fantastic in the punch we made as well as the apple cake that we had for dessert. They are so sweet and delicious!

Added you to my feed on Google Reader. Also, your recipes ALL look FANTASTIC and healthy!

Alexandra (Alex) M.posted January 30, 2012 at 5:57 pm

I tried Meyer lemons for the first time last month! I love using them in mini Meyer lemon bundt cakes, Meyer-berry lemonade, and squeezed over fish and steamed veggies. I’m looking for new ways to incorporate them into recipes, so thank you for this recipe!

“Leave a comment on this post telling me if you’ve ever tried meyer lemons and if so, how you use them in your recipes!”

I have 2 Meyers lemon trees and each year they give us a huge bounty of beautiful lemons! My family uses them in everything but my favorite is my great grandma’s homemade lemonaid where the sugar is first boiled down into a syrup and it really makes a huge difference. We store the lemon juice in the freezer to enjoy it all year long and I dehydrate lots of the zest for baking too.
The only bad thing is 2 months ago we had a power outage so I lost my supply of frozen Meyers lemons so I could really use some now.
Thanks for the giveaway!

Ileneposted January 30, 2012 at 6:31 pm

I’ve never tried Meyer lemons but would love to.

Andrea Sposted January 30, 2012 at 7:31 pm

I have never used Meyer lemons, but I have wanted to for so long. I’ve never been able to find them near me. I hope I win!

I just made my husband stop on his way home to pick up kale! Not this kind – I still haven’t found it anywhere, though. And meyer lemons – I love them. And I’m so glad that they are becoming easier to find!

I have, sadly, never used meyers lemons – I would love to. I do, however, make a similar dressing with lime juice and sometimes grapefruit – great atop fresh greens, diced avocados, and toasted pepitas for a little crunch. Thanks for a great giveaway!

patty watsonposted January 30, 2012 at 8:24 pm

i have never tried them.if i ever do it would be used for lemonade first

Katieposted January 30, 2012 at 8:59 pm

I’ve never tried Meyer lemons, but everything I read about them makes me want to!

i’ve never tried meyer lemons but i’d love to! (and that salad is a must make for me!!)

delores cohenposted January 31, 2012 at 3:24 pm

i marinaed lamb chops in the meyer lemons and chicken very good

Tina Mposted January 31, 2012 at 6:47 pm

i’ve never tried meyer lemons

Angela Lafkasposted January 31, 2012 at 8:50 pm

I have never used Meyer lemons and I am really regret that I can not find them anywhere! (OK, I have only looked at the regular grocery retailers so I probably, hopefully, can find them at a specialty store near by. I really want to try the peppery arugula pesto… I have made Giada’s arugula pesto with avocados, which was great but this sounds like it will have more of a kick to it. Do you have any recommendations for substitutions for Meyer lemons if I can not find them?

I just found your website today while looking for different pizza recipes and was pleasantly surprised that the majority of your recipes were calling my name… nothing to do with my name being Angie too 😉

This is my kind of salad! I love Kale. Yum! Sadly I have never been able to get my hands on Meyer lemons. If I had some I can only imagine what delicious things I’d come up with.

chailleposted February 1, 2012 at 7:09 am

I have never had a meyer lemon…but love all things lemon! The salad above looks amazing, I love following your yummy recipes!

Gina M Maddoxposted February 1, 2012 at 7:10 am

I have never tried them, but I am actually growing a meyer lemon tree in my house. Right now it is only about 2 ft. high, so it will be a while before I can get some produce. Thanks for the chance to win!
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com

Love kale salad – great recipe! I bought a container of Meyer lemons and made panko crusted fish with Meyer lemon sauce, also made some preserved Meyer lemons, and a salad with pomegranate and Meyer lemon vinaigrette. They are so fragrant.